Valentine's Day Cupcakes

When you think of Valentine's Day, you usually think of chocolate, love hearts and love so with this in mind I have developed this recipe to include it all! Chocolate cupcakes and heart shaped sprinkles. What's not to love? Whether you are spending Valentine's Day with someone of alone, you can spend your time enjoying these delicious cupcakes while watching your favourite rom-com.

Ingredients:

To make 12 cupcakes

• 125g butter
• 125g caster sugar
• 125g flour
• 1tsp baking powder
• 2 eggs
• 2 tbsp. hot chocolate powder
• 2 tbsp. room temperature water

For the decoration

• Ready-made/Homemade Icing
• Heart Shaped sprinkles

Method:

1. Preheat the oven to 140°C fan.
2. Line a 12-hole muffin tin with cupcake cases.
3. Cream together the butter and sugar in a medium sized bowl.
4. Mix in the flour, Baking powder and eggs thoroughly to create a smooth mixture.
5. Stir the hot chocolate powder into the water in a mug.
6. Once combined, pour the chocolate into the mixture and stir in thoroughly.
7. Separate the mixture into the cases and bake in the pre-heated oven for around 20mins or until risen and springy to the touch.
8. Leave on a wire rack to cool completely.
9. Once cooled completely you can decorate with icing (bought or homemade) and heart shaped sprinkles. (See decoration inspiration below)

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Add a cute message to each one.
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Hope you enjoy eating these as much as I do. Happy Valentine's Day!
Fiona xx

2015 Blogmas 11.Simple Christmas Decoration Ideas for Your Home

Christmas is a time to have fun and get creative so I have found 3 simple ways to make your own decorations this year.

Draw Christmas images on your glasses to add a simple festive touch to your house. View HERE.

These don't look as simple as the rest but the jar with a Christmas scene in it looks too good not to try. View HERE.

Simple snowflakes and garlands around your house can be customised to your specific needs so you never have to opt for the more boring side of Christmas decorations. View HERE. View some snowflake pattern ideas HERE.

I can't wait to try these at some point.
Fiona xx

2015 Blogmas 10.How to Make Delicious Salted Caramel

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This recipe makes a small amount of salted caramel (recipe can be adapted but smaller batches usually work better) and can be used on and with many things such as ice cream, desserts, hot chocolate or even just on its own.
It is quick and easy to make (around 20 minutes are needed) and tastes amazing when done correctly. Although the recipe is easy to follow you will need to be very careful when cooking it in the pan because it can quickly go from perfect to burnt. Trust me it doesn't taste nice when its burnt. :/
It would probably help if you read the recipe fully before starting.

Ingredients:

60ml water
225g granulated sugar
½ cup whipping cream
1tbsp vanilla extract (can be switched with your favourite liqueur, if you want)
½-1 tsp salt (add to your own personal taste)

Method:

1. In a medium saucepan (make sure it's larger than you think it should be because this mixture will bubble a lot) add sugar and water and bring to the boil over a high heat until the sugar is fully dissolved.
2. Boil the mixture until it turns a caramel colour (around 5-12 mins), it will probably be smoking slightly but that's normal.
3. *This part will go very quickly so keep your attention on the pan.* The mixture will change from a pale amber to a delicious caramel colour. It can take less than 3 seconds so keep an eye on it and don't let it burn.
4. Once it is a caramel colour, reduce to a low heat and slowly add the cream. It will bubble a lot so be careful.
5. *Optional step* Add vanilla and salt to the mixture. Be careful because it will bubble up again.
6. Whisk until smooth and then let it boil for another minute to thicken it slightly.
7. Move the sauce to a glass jar or heat proof bottle/box.
8. Allow the mixture to cool to room temperature in this container (uncovered), the sauce will thicken a lot while it cools.

The caramel sauce can be stored for at least a month so as well as making some for yourself, it could make a great gift for someone.
Fiona xx

2015 Blogmas 9.Winter Outfit Ideas

It can sometimes be difficult to find an outfit in Winter that is the perfect mix of comfort, warmth and keeps you looking at your best. I have found some ideas of what I think is the perfect combination for a Christmas outfit.

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A simple outfit can be made festive with the addition of a Christmas patterned item such as these leggings or a Christmas jumper. Pair the leggings with a warm jumper to stay warm and but still enjoy the holiday spirit.



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This outfit is more winter than Christmas. The chunky knit will keep you warm and stylish throughout the colder months.



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A red accessory (or a few) can really add a Christmas feel to your outfit.

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Pale colours (pinks and white) can be used to create a subtle and cute outfit. The jumper adds the Christmas element while the hat, scarf and shoes add warmth, making this a great outfit for winter.

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A checked shirt and a scarf both seem pretty simple but pair them with the right shoes and your outfit could be just as good ads ones you see in magazines.

 

All websites featured by the images include lots of other good Winter/Christmas Outfit ideas, so if your still struggling check them out too.
More ideas from last year's Blogmas HERE, HERE and HERE.



I would love to hear if you have any Winter Outfit tips or styles that you love.
Fiona xx

2015 Blogmas 8.Spice Up Your Hot Chocolate

I found this a couple of weeks ago and it just looks amazing! I can't wait to try some of them out. :)
Hot chocolate is a great way to stay warm and it is also my favourite drink to have when watching Christmas films.

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Have you ever tried any of these? Was it better than regular hot chocolate?
Fiona xx

2015 Blogmas 7.DIY Impressive Snowflakes

I'm always looking for some new ideas to decorate my room to make it seem more like Christmas and this year I stumbled on some intricate looking snowflake patterns on Pinterest and decided to give them a try.
It does take a while to cut them out properly making sure that all layers are cut and nothing is cut off that shouldn't be but the end results are worth it.
I found it easier to draw the pattern on the folder paper before starting to cut out.
Here are 3 of the impressive snowflake patterns which I managed to recreate successfully:
1.

2.

3.



Visit the website: HERE
The writing is in Chinese but if you follow the pictures the snowflakes still come out looking really good.
For even trickier ones click HERE.
I will be decorating my room with some of these as well as some other decorations (home-made and shop bought). How are you decorating your room this year?
Fiona xx

2015 Blogmas 6.My Christmas Decorations

Almost a week into December and most of my Christmas decorations are up (at least the downstairs ones are - the ones upstairs should be done soon (pics will be added when it is completed) and hopefully it won't be too long). Knowing me, I'll probably find/buy some more decorations and then I'll have to find a place to put them.
My room still isn't finished but here are some of the decorations that we have downstairs this year.

Hanging decoration that we hang on door handles.

Hand-made angle decorations.

Russian doll style Christmas characters.

These guys are adorable and probably my favourite decorations that we have! They are weighted so they sit up and they help to add some extra fun to a room.

 

I would love to see how you decorate your house! Links in the 'Contact Me' section at the top of the page - click HERE to view them.
Fiona xx